​Tough call: On India and snakebites

Snakebite envenoming is a critical public health issue in India, recently recognized globally when the World Health Organization classified it as a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD). India experiences approximately 58,000 snakebite deaths annually. Currently, doctors in India must rely on a syndromic approach—waiting for physical symptoms to appear before administering Anti-Snake Venom (ASV). The Indian Council of Medical Research points out this is flawed because irreversible tissue damage may happen before symptoms present. Moreover, administering ASV indiscriminately can cause severe or fatal anaphylactic allergic reactions. UPSC aspirants should note the pressing need for rapid venom detection kits and better ICU/ventilator infrastructure at the primary healthcare level to effectively reduce mortality.

Kerala presents a unique case study in leveraging technology and policy for governance. The state government formally made snakebite envenomation a notifiable disease under the Kerala Public Health Act in 2025, aligning with the Centre's 2024 directive. This mandates all hospitals to report cases to the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, enabling better data collection and targeted resource allocation. Furthermore, the state's Forest Department launched the SARPA (Snake Awareness, Rescue and Protection App) to professionalize snake rescues and minimize human-wildlife conflict. While these preventive and tracking steps are progressive, the recent deaths indicate that the 'cure' side—specifically, clinical decision-making and hospital capacity—requires equal administrative focus.

Snakebites represent a significant form of human-wildlife conflict driven by ecological and climatic factors. Extreme heat and unseasonal weather patterns push snakes, which are ectothermic (cold-blooded), to seek refuge in cooler human dwellings. The pre-monsoon season also coincides with the breeding phase of many venomous snakes, making them more active and defensive. In India, the vast majority of fatal bites are attributed to the Big Four venomous snakes: the Russell's viper, common krait, spectacled cobra, and saw-scaled viper. Conservation strategies must therefore balance protecting the public with preserving these species, which are crucial for pest control and maintaining ecological balance.